Mini carriage box within a carriage box

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to the mini carriage box ( 1 ) consisting of five pieces, namely a base ( 4 ), two collapsible or fixed long sides ( 2 ), two short sides ( 3 ), used for the consignment and storage of the foodstuffs such as the vegetables and the fruits, wherein the long side ( 2 ) thereof has a dimension in the range 25.67 cm-26.66 cm, and the short side ( 3 ) thereof has a dimension in the range 16.15 cm-17.14 cm. Said mini carriage box ( 1 ) according to the invention may be placed in a quantity of 2, 4, 8 or 16 pieces into the existing carriage boxes in harmony with the European palet norm and it ( 1 ) may also be placed into a European palet ( 9 ) (80 cm*120 cm) that complies with German Industry norm no. DIN 15146/1-4 (80 cm*120 cm) such that there will be a total of 21 pieces or a quantity corresponding to the multiples of 21 on the base, 3 pieces and 7 pieces being present in the transversal and longitudinal directions, respectively.

This application is a National Phase application of PCT/TR2009/000120 and claims priority of foreign application TR2009/01510.

The present invention relates to a mini carriage box, which consists of five pieces, namely the base and the four sides, with the long side having a size in the range 25.67 cm -26.66 cm and the short side having a size in the range 16.15 cm-17.14 cm, wherein said mini carriage box is filled with foodstuffs such as fruits and vegetables, is able to be placed in a quantity of 2, 4, 8 or 16 into existing carriage boxes according to the European palet norm, 21 pieces of said mini carriage box may fit into a European palet (80 cm*120 cm) in accordance with the German Industry norm no. DIN 15146/1-4, and said mini carriage box achieves the transport of said foodstuffs from the producer up to the end consumer, as well as the storage of the same in safe and hygienic conditions, owing to its advantages based on the dimensions thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today, the wooden carriage boxes, cardboard carriage boxes or plastic carriage boxes are used to store and to convey the foodstuffs such as the fruits and vegetables to the end consumer.

For the consignments performed with wooden carriage boxes, generally the carriage boxes produced in a way to suit the palets that comply with the European norm, having the dimensions of 40 cm*30 cm or 20 cm*30 cm, are used. However, the biggest disadvantage of this type of carriage box is that there exists the problem of stacking the carriage boxes one on top of the other, into the palets. This is caused by the absence of the stacking pins in the carriage boxes, for stacking the wooden carriage boxes one on top of the other. Another disadvantage is that because the foodstuffs transported with wooden carriage boxes may not obtain sufficient level of air during the transport and storage period, the products become exposed to rotting, hence leading to the formation of mold or fungi, with such formations being able to spread to all the products being transported within the same carriage box. This also negatively affects the wastage during the transport and delivery period and the shelf life.

Cardboard carriage boxes or cartons are the carriage boxes produced in a way to suit the palets that comply with the European norm, generally having the dimensions of 60 cm*40 cm, 40 cm*30 cm or 20 cm*30 cm. With the cardboard carriage box types, the stacking process may be performed without any problem, but the problem of strength is encountered in the use of these carriage boxes. Considering the raw material from which they are made, these carriage boxes should not get wet in order that they will not loose their function and strength. Besides the inability of the products to take adequate air and the consequent problems of mold and fungi formation and rotting, also the problems with strength arising from wetting are the main handicaps with such cardboard carriage boxes.

The problem encountered with the plastic carriage boxes is that such carriage boxes, as in the other carriage box types, may be stacked into a European palet only on the condition that they are of the same size. Because the feature of stacking one on top of the other the plastic carriage boxes with different dimensions is not present, it becomes a necessity to use the carriage boxes with the same size for the foodstuffs for which the storage or the transport is to be carried out in a small or great quantity.

Thus, in no way it becomes possible to stuff the aforesaid products into a carriage box compatible with the European palet, and said three products may be dispatched separately only with the European palets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in detail with the aid of the figures used below.

FIG. 1: The top, front and side views of the collapsible mini carriage box in an open state

FIG. 2: The top, front and side views of the collapsible mini carriage box in a folded state

FIG. 3: The top, front and side views of the collapsible mini carriage box in a folded state

FIG. 4: Top, front and side views of the European palet

FIG. 5: The top, front and side views of the collapsible mini carriage box, in an open state, being arranged in a European palet in a total quantity of 21 pieces in the form of 3 transversal rows and 7 longitudinal rows

FIG. 6: The top, front and side views of the collapsible mini carriage box, in a folded state, being arranged in a European palet in a total quantity of 21 pieces in the form of 3 transversal rows and 7 longitudinal rows

FIG. 7: The top, front and side views of a carriage box in harmony with the European palet norm, arranged into a European palet in a quantity of 4 pieces, 2 in the front and 2 in the rear part

FIG. 8: The top, front and side views of two collapsible mini carriage boxes in a state stacked one on top of the other

FIG. 9: The top, front and side views of 8 mini carriage boxes in open state, stacked in two layers into a carriage box that is in harmony with the European palet norm

FIG. 10: The top, front and side views of 8 collapsible mini carriage boxes in a state stacked one on top of the other in the form of two rows into each of the 3 carriage boxes in harmony with the European palet norm, which are arranged in a European palet, and of 8 collapsible mini carriage boxes arranged one on top of the other in the form of two rows in a European palet

FIG. 11: The top, front and side views of 8 collapsible mini carriage boxes in open state, stacked one on top of the other in the form of two rows into each of the 4 carriage boxes in harmony with the European palet norm, which are arranged in a European palet

REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   1: Collapsible mini carriage box -   2: Long side of the mini carriage box -   3: Short side of the mini carriage box -   4: Base of the mini carriage box -   5: Hook of the mini carriage box -   6: Stacking pin on the short side of the mini carriage box -   6 a: The stacking pin on the base of the mini carriage box in folded     state -   7: Mini carriage box stacking pin slot -   8: Mini carriage box in folded state -   9: European palet (DIN 15146) -   9 a: Short side of the European palet -   9 b: Long side of the European palet -   10: Carriage box in harmony with the European palet norm -   10 a: Long side of the carriage box in harmony with the European     palet norm -   10 b: Short side of the carriage box in harmony with the European     palet norm

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The mini carriage box (1) according to the invention is a carriage box for maintenance, transport and storage, said mini carriage box being designed for use in the storage and transport of the foodstuffs like vegetables and fruits, comprising a base (4) and two long sides (2) and two short sides (3) which may be produced in a collapsible or fixed form, with the long sides (2) having the dimensions in the range 25.67 cm-26.66 cm and the short sides (3) having the dimensions in the range 16.15 cm-17.14 cm, said mini carriage box consisting of five pieces in total.

Today, for the storage and transport of the vegetables and fruits, the carriage boxes in harmony with the European palet norm, having the dimensions of 80 cm*60 cm, 60 cm (10 a)*40 cm (10 b), 40 cm*30 cm and 20 cm*30 cm, are used. These carriage boxes may be stacked one on top of the other into a European palet (9) having the dimensions of 80 cm (9 a)*120 cm (9 b), provided that said carriage boxes are of the same size. However, it is in no way possible to place such sizes one within another.

On the other hand, the mini carriage box (1) according to the invention may be arranged in the base of a European palet (9) in a total quantity of 21 pieces, with 3 transversal and 7 longitudinal pieces, and also in a quantity corresponding to the multiples of 21, as well as being able to be placed into the sizes of the carriage boxes in European palet norm, in a quantity of 2, 4, 8 or 16 pieces. Such type of mini carriage box, i.e. the one which may be arranged on the base of a European palet (9) in a quantity of 21 pieces and which also has the dimensions suitable for placement in a quantity of 2, 4, 8 or 16 pieces into the dimensions of the carriage box with European palet norm, has not been so far applied in the industry.

Regarding the carriage boxes presently in use, having the dimensions in accordance with the European palet norm, the mini carriage box (1) according to the invention may be placed in a quantity corresponding to the multiples of 8 into a carriage box with the dimensions 80 cm*60 cm, with 8 mini carriage boxes being arranged on the base of such a carriage box, in a quantity corresponding to the multiples of 4 into a carriage box (10) with the dimensions 60 cm (10 a)*40 cm (10 b), with 4 mini carriage boxes being arranged on the base of such a carriage box, and in a quantity corresponding to the multiples of 2 into a carriage box with the dimensions 40 cm*30 cm, with 2 mini carriage boxes being arranged on the base of such a carriage box. In this way, the mini carriage box (1) may be transported within the carriage boxes having the dimensions according to the European palet norm, both in the form of a single layer and also in a state arranged one within the other and stacked one on top of the other.

The ability of the mini carriage boxes (1) to be stacked one on top of the other either in open or closed state is realized by means of the stacking pins (6, 6 a) located on the four upper sides thereof and also the stacking pin slots (7) located on the four lower sides thereof. Owing to the stacking pin (6, 6 a) engaging with the stacking slot (7), the conditions such as slipping or sinking in are not encountered when arranging the mini carriage boxes (1). Further, with the aid of the carriage box hooks (5) present on the mini carriage boxes (1), it becomes possible to cover the product to be transported and to firmly secure the cover to the carriage box (1), owing to said carriage box hooks (5). In this way, the protection of the products against possible external factors may be provided in a more reliable manner.

Also, since the mini carriage box (1) mentioned in the invention is manufactured from plastic material, it generates a resilience margin when subjected to load. On the other hand, other products made of wood or carton lack such resilience margin, hence leading to the penetration of the carriage boxes or palets into one another as a result of the sinks in the cartons or the slides in the wooden carriage boxes, during the consignment of the product.

In addition, the mini carriage boxes (1) may optionally be consigned and stocked within a European palet (9), and the consignment of the mini carriage boxes may also be realized, again as per the choice made, by way of placement of the same into the carriage boxes with European palet norm, preferably in the form of a collapsible or open carriage box.

Mini carriage boxes (1) are lighter in weight than the other carriage boxes in use. Thanks to this feature, it becomes possible to perform the transport of a greater amount of products when loading the trailers or trucks. Said carriage boxes (1) are also suitable for multiple uses.

After the mini carriage box (1) has been used for once, it may be returned to the market or the wholesaler and those in a good condition may be washed and recycled into use. The damaged carriage boxes are subject to granulation, after which they are used again as plastic raw material for their production in the form of mini carriage boxes (1) and are fed into the system.

The object for the development of the mini carriage box (1) according to the invention is to provide that once the foodstuffs like the vegetables and fruits are placed into the mini carriage box (1), they are maintained in a state free of hand touch until they arrive at the end consumer, and consequently to enable the minimization of the wastage ratio of the products. Furthermore, due to the convenience obtained by the ability of the mini carriage boxes (1) to fit into the carriage boxes having the European palet norm, the possibility arises for the market chains to operate with more flexibility, hence it becoming possible for the market owners to purchase the products according to the quantities they will be able to sell on daily basis.

The circulation system for the mini carriage box (1) according to the invention is as follows:

The foodstuffs like fruits and vegetables, which are prepared at the producers' facility, are placed into the mini carriage box (1). The products placed into the mini carriage box (1) are stacked in quantities corresponding to the multiples of into the European palet (9) such that there will be 21 pieces of mini carriage box on the base, and thus the products become ready for consignment. The mini carriage boxes (1) filled with the foodstuffs which are stacked into the European palet (9) are conveyed either to the cold storage houses for storage or to the warehouses of the market chains to be sold to the consumers. Here the primary objective is to transport and store the mini carriage boxes (1) filled with foodstuffs either in the form of palets (9) or in the form of a carriage box (1) within another carriage box (10), and deliver the same to the consumers in a manner free of hand touch. 

1. A mini carriage box comprising: a base; two long sides that may be produced in a collapsible or fixed form, two short side for consignment and storage of the foodstuffs and other articles whose transport and storage are possible within a carriage box wherein the long side has a dimension in the range of 25.67 cm to 26.66 cm and the short side has a dimension in the range of 16.15 cm to 17.14 cm.
 2. The mini carriage box according to claim 1 further comprising: plurality of carriage box stacking slots; plurality of stacking pins that fit into the carriage box stacking slots; plurality of carriage box hooks on the first long side; and plurality of carriage box hooks on the second long side.
 3. The mini carriage box according to claim 1 wherein it is arranged in a total quantity of 21 pieces into a European palet (DIN 15146) having the dimensions of 80 cm*120 cm, such that there will be 3 transversal and 7 longitudinal carriage boxes.
 4. The mini carriage box according to claim 2 wherein it is arranged in a total quantity of 21 pieces into a European palet (DIN 15146) having the dimensions of 80 cm*120 cm, such that there will be 3 transversal and 7 longitudinal carriage boxes.
 5. The mini carriage box according to claim 1 wherein two mini carriage boxes may be arranged one on top of the other with the help of the stacking pins.
 6. The mini carriage box according to claim 2 wherein two mini carriage boxes may be arranged one on top of the other with the help of the stacking pins.
 7. The mini carriage box according to claim 1 wherein it may be transported by way of arrangement of the same one on top of the other into a European palet (DIN 15146) such that a quantity of the mini carriage boxes corresponding to the multiples of 21 will be present.
 8. The mini carriage box according to claim 2 wherein it may be transported by way of arrangement of the same one on top of the other into a European palet (DIN 15146) such that a quantity of the mini carriage boxes corresponding to the multiples of 21 will be present.
 9. The mini carriage box according to claim 3 wherein it may be transported by way of arrangement of the same one on top of the other into a European palet (DIN 15146) such that a quantity of the mini carriage boxes corresponding to the multiples of 21 will be present.
 10. The mini carriage box according to claim 4 wherein it may be transported by way of arrangement of the same one on top of the other into a European palet (DIN 15146) such that a quantity of the mini carriage boxes corresponding to the multiples of 21 will be present.
 11. The mini carriage box according to claim 5 wherein it may be transported by way of arrangement of the same one on top of the other into a European palet (DIN 15146) such that a quantity of the mini carriage boxes corresponding to the multiples of 21 will be present.
 12. The mini carriage box according to claim 6 wherein it may be transported by way of arrangement of the same one on top of the other into a European palet (DIN 15146) such that a quantity of the mini carriage boxes corresponding to the multiples of 21 will be present.
 13. The mini carriage box according to claim 1 wherein the mini carriage box may be placed in a quantity of 2, 4, 8 and 16 pieces into the carriage boxes that comply with European palet norm having different sizes, which are arranged on the European palet.
 14. The mini carriage box according to claim 2 wherein the mini carriage box may be placed in a quantity of 2, 4, 8 and 16 pieces into the carriage boxes that comply with European palet norm having different sizes, which are arranged on the European palet.
 15. The mini carriage box according to claim 5 wherein the mini carriage box may be placed in a quantity of 2, 4, 8 and 16 pieces into the carriage boxes that comply with European palet norm having different sizes, which are arranged on the European palet.
 16. The mini carriage box according to claim 6 wherein the mini carriage box may be placed in a quantity of 2, 4, 8 and 16 pieces into the carriage boxes that comply with European palet norm having different sizes, which are arranged on the European palet. 